Integrated apparatus for storage of consumer articles using a stackable and interlocking mechanism

ABSTRACT

An integrated apparatus for storage of consumer articles using a stackable and interlocking mechanism is disclosed herein. Specifically, in some embodiments, multi-layered stacking and control of consumer articles is achieved by forming couplings (e.g., male-female couplings) among the consumer articles such that they are subsequently placed in a stacking fashion. Such stacking can be employed in a symmetric, asymmetric and/or combination manner in order to form an interlocking mechanism between two or more of the stackable consumer articles, thus ensuring that the storage apparatus is stable and the consumer articles protected. In some embodiments, the consumer articles can be related to household articles, commercial articles, board games or any other suitable article.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/351,944 filed on Jun. 18, 2016, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and from which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND

In the field of packaging for storage and distribution of consumer goodsincluding, but not limited to tools, tableware, games and othermulti-component articles, there have been several packaging and storagemethodologies that have been employed. Typically, such methodologiesrequire the use of additional material (e.g., boxes, wrappers etc.) inwhich the consumer goods are contained. Although, the use of additionalmaterial for packaging and storage may provide ease of use andmanufacturing, in many instances they require additional storage space,repackaging of the consumer articles and can create additional issueswith respect to damaging the articles during transportation.

In addition, given the advent of technology especially as it relates tousing 3D printing techniques that are based on conventional printingmethods (e.g., screen printing, gravure, inkjet) that can facilitate theprinting manufacturing and miniaturization of consumer articles usingcommon material (e.g., paper, plastic, textile etc.), it is evident thatprior methods for packaging consumer goods are inefficient.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an integrated apparatus for storage of consumerarticles using a stackable and interlocking mechanism is provided.Specifically, an apparatus for storage of consumer goods is providedsuch that the consumer goods are a part of the stackable andinterlocking mechanism so as to ensure miniaturization and stabilizationof the consumer articles during transportation. Additionally, thestackable mechanism uses one or more different types of coupling (e.g.,male/female coupling, serial coupling, coaxial coupling etc) among theconsumer articles such that multiple articles can be deposited andpatterned in a desired manner. Additionally, the stackable consumerarticles have the ability to form an interlocking mechanism that allowsfor the storage apparatus to remain intact and stable during movementand rotation along the different axes. Such storage apparatus allows forthe efficient, scalable and low-cost fabrication as it is formed usingone or more of the consumer articles. Exemplary applications of such anapparatus can be found in the use of tools, houseware (e.g., tableware),electronics (e.g., cables, drives), games (e.g., chess.) and medicalsupplies (e.g., sterilized storage of syringes, needles etc.).

In some embodiments, one or more consumer articles are formed in asymmetric manner so as to create a male-female coupling that enablesstacking of multiple articles. The stacking can be achieved usingdifferent patterns (e.g., cube, pyramid etc.) to ensure optimalinterlocking of the storage apparatus. In some embodiments, a topelement and a bottom/base element are provided so as to encase thestackable consumer articles. These elements can provide an additionallayer of protection and/or stability to the apparatus. In someembodiments, one or more consumer articles are coupled using anysuitable component (e.g., hinges, screws etc.)

In some embodiments, an integrated apparatus for storing consumerarticles is disclosed comprising a plurality of consumer articles eachbeing formed having an interlocking encasing, wherein each of theinterlocking encasings is configured to be dynamically adjustable suchas to enable stacking of the plurality of consumer articles.

In some embodiments, an integrated apparatus for storing a set of chesspieces is disclosed such as a chess box comprising a first set of chesspieces configured to be nested with a second set of chess pieces formingan interfitting coupling, wherein the second set of chess pieces has aninner surface and an outer surface defining a cavity therein with anengagement structure configured to enclose at least partially the firstset of chess pieces so as to enable stacking.

In some embodiments, storage apparatus and consumer articles can beformed using 3D techniques thus allowing for different patterns (e.g.,symmetric and asymmetric) of the storage apparatus and consumerarticles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of an apparatus for storage in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is an example of the stacking mechanism using consumer articlesin accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 is an example of consumer articles forming a male-female couplingin accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is an example of consumer articles together with the top and basemember of the apparatus for storage in accordance with some embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 is an example of consumer articles used to form the apparatus forstorage in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

FIG. 6 is an example of consumer articles in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7 is an example of a set of consumer articles in accordance withsome embodiments of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 is an example of consumer articles together with the top and basemember of the apparatus for storage in accordance with some embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of the assembly of the storageapparatus in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed subject matter relates to an integrated apparatus forstorage of consumer articles using a stackable and interlockingmechanism. Specifically, in some embodiments, multi-layered stacking andcontrol of consumer articles is achieved by forming couplings (e.g.,male-female couplings) among the consumer articles such that they aresubsequently placed in a stacking fashion (e.g., one on top of theother). Such stacking can be employed in a symmetric, asymmetric and/orcombination manner in order to form an interlocking mechanism betweentwo or more of the stackable consumer articles, thus ensuring that thestorage apparatus is stable and the consumer articles protected. In someembodiments, the consumer articles can be related to household articles,commercial articles, board games or any other suitable article.

Generally, storage apparatuses are manufactured separately from theconsumer articles and as such require additional materials that can becostly and/or are not formed to ensure stability and safety of thearticles during transportation. In addition, in many instances suchstorage apparatuses may be disposable, thus creating additionalcommercial and business considerations. For example, storing sensitivemedical equipment requires the use of boxes (e.g., plastic, paper etc.)and oftentimes additional padding is used to ensure that the medicalequipment is not damaged during transportation due to the fact that thestorage apparatus may not be form fitting. Furthermore, the use ofadditional materials may also allow for possible contamination of thearticles and often requires repackaging when additional transportationis needed.

Moreover, packaging and storing of consumer articles aims at minimizingthe occupation of space and as such, the use of additional materials(e.g., boxes, bins etc.) has an adverse effect.

Thus, there is a need for an apparatus for storage for consumer articlesthat is embedded and integrated with the consumer articles and allowsfor the dynamic optimization and miniaturization of the storageapparatus effectively optimizing the usage of space.

Such a storage apparatus allows for stackable, multi-material layeredplacement of consumer articles and provides control and stabilitythrough the use of an interlocking mechanism.

The following description starts with an overview of an exemplaryapparatus illustrating the operational environment of the inventiveprinciples described herein. Further details are provided regarding theapparatus components that may be implemented in accordance with thevarious embodiments of the inventive principles.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings that that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific embodiments in which the inventive principles maybe practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and structural changes may be made without departing from thescope of the disclosed subject matter.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the sameor similar elements, FIG. 1 represents an overview of an apparatus 100for integrated storage of consumer articles using a stackable andinterlocking mechanism. In some embodiments, apparatus 100 provides asolution to the problem of packaging and storing consumer articleswithout the use of additional material while ensuring the stability andsafety of said consumer articles during transportation or any type ofmovement.

In some embodiments, integrated storage apparatus 100 can have a topmember 102 that is formed and manufactured as an additional enclosure ofconsumer articles 106. In some embodiments a top member can be formedusing 3D printing techniques and can be of any suitable material (e.g.,wood, plastic, metal etc.) Furthermore, top member 102 may provideadditional protection of consumer articles 106 (e.g., sterilizedenvironment) and can include one or more chemical and/or physicalcoatings. In addition, integrated storage apparatus 100 can include abase/bottom member 104 and a top member 102. In some embodiments, basemember 104 includes one or more impressions to allow for the stable andsecure placement of the consumer articles and allow for stacking of saidconsumer articles as will be discussed below in connection with FIG. 4.In some embodiments, top member 102 and base member 104 can besymmetric, have the same and/or different form and shape. In someembodiments, base member 104 and top member 102 can be formed using 3Dprinting techniques and can be of any suitable material (e.g., wood,plastic, metal etc.) and/or shape.

In some embodiments, top member 102 and base member 104 can beexpandable and/or retractable based on the number and size of consumerarticles 106 that form the storage apparatus. In addition, in someembodiments, top member 102 and base member 104 can include flexibleimpressions and/or depressions so as to allow for the stable placementof the consumer articles 106.

In some embodiments, integrated storage apparatus 100 is formed by twoor more consumer articles 106. This is accomplished through a couplingof consumer articles 106 that create an interlocking mechanism and allowstorage apparatus 100 to remain intact during movement along thedifferent axes (e.g., linear movement, rotational movement etc.). Insome embodiments, one or more consumer articles form an interlockingmechanism along the central axis of storage apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, each of consumer articles 106 encases additionalconsumer articles (not shown) creating a nested interlocking couplingthat can be stacked. In some embodiments, the consumer article 106 canbe partially or wholly nested according to any storage spacerequirements. In some embodiments, the consumer articles 106 can beformed via a female-male coupling of at least two components.

It should be noted that the system in FIG. 1 is merely meant todemonstrate an exemplary embodiment of an operating environment andshould not be construed as limiting in any manner whatsoever. Theparticular configuration in FIG. 1 can be altered in numerous wayswithout departing from the principles herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates the stacking mechanism of integrated storageapparatus 100. Specifically, consumer articles 105 and 106 form acoupling (e.g., male-female coupling) that allows them to be stacked andinterlocked on multiple layers, thus creating an integrated storageapparatus. For example, consumer articles 105 and 106 can be pieces of aboard game (e.g., chess) whereby a first set of pieces (e.g., whitepieces 105) are formed as a male coupling and a second set of pieces(e.g., black pieces 106) are formed as a female coupling. Moreover,these pieces can be interlocked together in a nested fashion to becomestackable pieces in order to form the integrated storage apparatus 100.

In addition, in some embodiments, upon being interlocked in a nestedfashion, consumer articles 105 and 106 can be stacked vertically,horizontally or in any suitable combination depending, for example, onthe storage requirements.

FIG. 3 shows consumer articles 105 and 106 that form a coupling (e.g.,male-female coupling) and are capable of being interlocked andsubsequently stacked. In some embodiments and as discussed above,consumer articles can be game pieces (e.g., chess pieces) that areformed in a symmetric way.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, consumer articles 105 can be a set ofchess pieces (e.g., white pieces) that are formed using any suitabletechnique such as 3D printing, molding, sculpting etc. In addition, eachof consumer articles 105 are manufactured so as to be nested withconsumer articles 106 forming an interlocked coupling. In someembodiments, consumer articles 105 can be encased partially or wholly byconsumer articles 106 and can be stored individually and/or as a set. Insome embodiments, upon disassembly consumer articles 105 (e.g., whitechess pieces) can be used in conjunction with consumer articles 106(e.g., black pieces) forming a set of chess pieces.

FIG. 4 shows the different members and consumer articles 105 and 106 ofintegrated storage apparatus 100 as discussed above in in connectionwith FIGS. 1-3. Specifically, consumer articles 105 and 106 can be anytype of consumer article capable of forming a coupling such that, forexample, a male part and a female part are interfitted to create astackable member. In some embodiments, a top member 102 can be used toseal integrated storage apparatus 100. Such top member can includedepressions that allow consumer articles 105 (e.g., male part) to beplaced therein in order to ensure stability of the stacked apparatus. Insome embodiments, a bottom/base member 104 can be included that isformed of impressions of consumer articles such that said consumerarticles can be multi-layered and placed one on top of the other inorder to form a stacked interlocking mechanism. In some embodiments,members of integrated storage apparatus can be created using differenttechniques and materials (e.g., 3D printing).

As shown in FIG. 4, consumer articles 105 and 106 can be associated withboard games such as chess. Specifically, in some embodiments, consumerarticles 105 can be formed as white pieces and consumer articles 106 canbe formed as black pieces. Additionally, consumer articles 106 (e.g.,black pieces) can be manufactured as a female part (e.g., depression) ofconsumer articles 105 (e.g., white pieces.) In some embodiments,consumer articles 106 (e.g., black pieces) can be formed such that theyare transversely extendable (e.g., along the vertical axis) allowing fordynamic adjustment of articles 106. As a result, in some embodiments,consumer articles 106 can have different dimensions upon nesting,through the interfitting coupling, with consumer articles 105, thusallowing for different stacking configurations depending on storagerequirements.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of white chess pieces (e.g., consumer articles105) and black chess pieces (e.g., consumer articles 106) placed on achess board 502. As discussed previously in reference to FIG. 4, in someembodiments, consumer articles 106 can be extendable along theirvertical axis to allow for adjustment of the interfitted coupling. As aresult, in some embodiments, upon disassembly of the storage apparatusand removal of the nested consumer articles 105 and 106 the size ofconsumer articles 106 (e.g., black pieces) can be dynamically adjustedso that all chess pieces can be of the same height and allow for theirappropriate placement on the chess board.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, consumer articles 105 can bewhite pieces of a chess game (shown in black in FIG. 6). Specifically,as shown in FIG. 6 for the game of chess, consumer articles 105 aresixteen (16) white chess pieces. In some embodiments, the white chesspieces can be manufactured using marble, concrete, wood, hard resin,soft polymer or any other suitable material. In some embodiments, thewhite chess pieces can have the same height so as to allow for ease ofstorage and manufacturing.

Furthermore, as discussed above, in some embodiments, consumer articles106 can be black pieces of a chess game (shown in white in FIG. 7).Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 for the game of chess, consumerarticles 106 are sixteen (16) black chess pieces. In some embodiments,the black chess pieces can be manufactured using marble, concrete, wood,hard resin, soft polymer or any other suitable material. In someembodiments, the black chess pieces can have equal height so as to allowfor ease of storage and manufacturing. In some embodiments, the blackchess pieces have an inner surface and an outer surface forming a cavitythat defines an engagement structure and is capable of encasing, atleast partially, the white chess pieces shown in reference to FIG. 6.

In addition, in some embodiments, the black chess pieces are capable ofencasing the white chess pieces shown in FIG. 6 (e.g., consumer articles105) and provide an interfitted coupling that allows nesting of thewhite and black chess pieces. Moreover, in some embodiments, the blackpieces can be extendable along the vertical axis so as to allow for anadjustable height when nesting with the white pieces. In someembodiments, consumer articles 106 can be of the same height to allowfor multi-layer stacking of the nested chess pieces.

FIG. 8 shows a side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosedsubject matter, whereby the integrated storage apparatus relates to achess box that is formed using nested interlocked consumer articles 105(e.g., white chess pieces), consumer articles 106 (e.g., black pieces),top member 102 and base member 104. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8white chess pieces 105 can form an interlocking coupling with blackpieces 106 so as to be nested and encased by black pieces 106. In someembodiments, white pieces can be wholly or partially encased. In someembodiments, black pieces are formed so as to encase more than half ofwhite pieces during interlocking.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, base member 104 can includeimpressions 802 so as to form a male-female coupling with consumerarticles 106 (e.g., black pieces.) In some embodiments, base member 104can be manufactured using any suitable material such as hard resin orflexible polymers allowing for the dynamic adjustment of impressions802. In some embodiments, base member 104 can include a snap-fitmechanism so as to further interlock with consumer articles 106. In someembodiments, base member 104 and top member 102 can beextendable/retractable so as to allow for different configurations ofthe storage apparatus depending on, at least, space requirements.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, top member 102 caninclude depressions 804 so as to form a male-female coupling withconsumer articles 105 (e.g., white pieces.) In some embodiments, topmember 102 can be manufactured using any suitable material such as hardresin or flexible polymers allowing for the dynamic adjustment ofdepressions 804. In some embodiments, top member 102 can include asnap-fit mechanism so as to further interlock with consumer articles105.

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the assembly of the integrated storageapparatus using consumer articles 105 and 106. Specifically, FIG. 9shows the assembly of a chess storage box formed by white chess pieces105, black chess pieces 106, a top member 102 and a base member 104.Initially, each of black chess pieces 106 is placed onto base member 102so as to couple with each impression 802. Subsequently, each of whitepieces 105 is nested within each of black chess pieces 106 creating afirst stacked layer. In some embodiments, white chess pieces 105 havethe same height as black pieces 106. As a result, the white chess pieces105 are partially encased by being interfitted with the black chesspieces 106. In some embodiments, at least half of each of the whitechess pieces 105 is disposed outside of the black chess pieces 106.Moreover, the remaining black chess pieces and white pieces are stackedin a similar fashion creating an interlocked set of nested chess piecesproviding a stable and secure placement. Finally, top member 102 isplaced so as to couple each of the depressions 804 with the white chesspieces 105, thus creating a chess storage box. As discussed above, insome embodiments, the base member 104 and top member 102 can beextendable/retractable so as to allow for different stackingconfigurations of the nested chess pieces. In some embodiments the whitechess pieces can be of different sizes and the black chess pieces can bedynamically adjusted so as to have any suitable height.

The embodiments described in this disclosure can be combined in variousways.

Any aspect or feature that is described for one embodiment can beincorporated into any other embodiment mentioned in this disclosure.Moreover, any of the embodiments described herein may comprise a mixtureof one or more material elements. Accordingly, while various novelfeatures of the inventive principles have been shown, described andpointed out as applied to particular embodiments thereof, it should beunderstood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in theform and details of the apparatus described and illustrated, may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, based on the abovedisclosure and an understanding therefrom of the teachings of theinventive principles, that the particular apparatus described herein,and the general functionality provided by and incorporated therein, mayvary in different embodiments of the inventive principles. Accordingly,the particular components are for illustrative purposes to facilitate afull and complete understanding and appreciation of the various aspectsand functionality of particular embodiments of the present principles asrealized in apparatus embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the inventive principles can be practiced in other thanthe described embodiments, which are presented for purposes ofillustration and not limitation.

A number of embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have beendescribed. Nevertheless, it will be understood that variousmodifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, other embodiments are withinthe scope of the claims.

We claim:
 1. An integrated apparatus for storing consumer articlescomprising: a first set of consumer articles being formed with aninterfitting first coupling; a second set of consumer articles beingformed with an interfitting second coupling, wherein the first set ofconsumer articles and the second set of consumer articles are coupledthrough the first coupling and the second coupling so as to form aninterlocked set of structures so as to enable stacking of theinterlocked set of structures.
 2. The integrated apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first coupling and the second coupling comprise a male and afemale coupling respectively.
 3. The integrated apparatus of claim 1further comprising a top element being formed with one or moredepressions so as to be coupled to the interlocked set of structures. 4.The integrated apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a base elementbeing formed with one or more impressions so as to be coupled to theinterlocked set of structures.
 5. The integrated apparatus of claim 4,wherein the one or more impressions of the base element are coupled withthe second set of consumer articles.
 6. The integrated apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a top member and a base member configured toenvelop the interlocked set of structures.
 7. The integrated apparatusof claim 1, wherein each of the interlocked set of structures are formedhaving the same height and width.
 8. An integrated apparatus for storingconsumer articles comprising: a plurality of consumer articles eachbeing formed having an interlocking encasing, wherein each of theinterlocking encasings is configured to be dynamically adjustable suchas to enable stacking of the plurality of consumer articles.
 9. Theintegrated apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of consumerarticles and the interlocking encasings each comprise at least a partialmale and a female coupling.
 10. The integrated apparatus of claim 8further comprising a top element being formed with one or moredepressions so as to be coupled to each of the plurality of consumerarticles.
 11. The integrated apparatus of claim 8 further comprising abase element being formed with one or more impressions so as to becoupled at least partially to each of the interlocking encasings. 12.The integrated apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a base elementbeing formed with one or more impressions so as to be coupled at leastpartially to each of the interlocking encasings.
 13. The integratedapparatus of claim 8 further comprising a top member and a base memberconfigured to envelop the stacked plurality of consumer articles. 14.The integrated apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the interlockingencasings are adjusted to have the same height and width.
 15. Theintegrated apparatus of claim 14, wherein the height and width of eachof the interlocking encasings is adjusted according to the height andwidth of one of the plurality of consumer articles.
 16. An integratedapparatus for storing a set of chess pieces comprising: a first set ofchess pieces configured to be nested with a second set of chess piecesforming an interfitting coupling, wherein the second set of chess pieceshas an inner surface and an outer surface defining a cavity therein withan engagement structure configured to enclose at least partially thefirst set of chess pieces so as to enable stacking.
 17. The integratedapparatus of claim 16, wherein the first set of chess pieces and thesecond set of chess pieces each comprise at least a partial male and afemale coupling.
 18. The integrated apparatus of claim 16 furthercomprising a top element being formed with one or more depressions so asto be coupled to each of the first set of pieces.
 19. The integratedapparatus of claim 16 further comprising a base element being formedwith one or more impressions so as to be coupled at least partially toeach of the second set of chess pieces.
 20. The integrated apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein each of the second chess pieces are adjusted to havethe same height and width.